OT: Why does the DCAU still get so much love?

Because rape is an act of terror that could ruin a person forever.  Probably the highest form.  The person doesn't have to get a sexual thrill out of it, just the knowledge of what it is doing to the other person. 

The Joker is an all around terrorist.  If he can do something that can screw with someone, he'll do it.  And he isn't a boyfriend at all.  That relationship is totally one-sided.  Again Harley is a thing to him.  And it's not the act that is the main point, but how you use it.  Just like you say, "allows for more creativity in terms of the methods that he uses".